By HeapNews
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a groundbreaking year in its anti-drug trafficking efforts, arresting 14,480 suspected drug offenders and seizing 2.4 million kilograms of illicit drugs across Nigeria between January and October 2024. This was disclosed by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), during a briefing with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs on Wednesday in Abuja.
Highlighting the agency’s achievements, Marwa stated, “We can say with certainty that we are on course to beat the performance of the previous three years.” He added that the agency secured 2,867 convictions, destroyed over 547,000 kilograms of cannabis plantations, and rehabilitated 6,655 drug users in the same period.
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Among the agency’s notable successes, this year were the largest single heroin seizure in its history, 51.90 kilograms at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in February, and the arrests of several notorious drug barons.
“We have harnessed and maximized the limited resources at our disposal to achieve impressive results,” Marwa said, urging lawmakers to continue their support. “We are only a short distance away from attaining full strength to make Nigeria safe from the scourge of illicit drugs.”
The NDLEA also conducted over 3,000 awareness campaigns, reaching more than 1.3 million Nigerians in schools, motor parks, religious centers, and workplaces to curb drug abuse.
Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Hon. Abass Adigun, commended the NDLEA’s efforts. “I assure you of our committee’s unwavering support in ensuring that the NDLEA remains adequately equipped to fulfill its mission,” he said, pledging to advocate for improved funding and better working conditions for the agency.
Marwa concluded by reiterating the NDLEA’s commitment to achieving its objectives with adequate resources. “With your support, we can put the NDLEA on a pedestal to work at its optimal best,” he told the lawmakers.